Tarnetar Mela is one of the most popular rural events of Gujarat organised in present day Surendranagar district near Tarnetar village since last 200-250 years. It is an event full of colorful traditional decors, dances, customs and products on sale. The three-day annual event attracts over 1 lakh visitors every year. It is a significant cultural event in the region, particularly for the tribal people, who wait year-long for it.
The fair has been regularly held every year since the last 200-250 years and was traditionally popular as a matchmaking event for wannabe brides and grooms. In fact, the region where the fair is held is called the ‘Panchal Pradesh’ and the matchmaking tradition is a recurrence of ‘Panchali’ Draupadi’s Swayamvar as described in the epic ‘Mahabharata’.
This year’s event is going to be from August 26 to 29. To add a new dimension to this age-old event, Gujarat Government organises ‘Gramya Olympics’ along with the fair. This year the government will host its 20th edition of the ‘Gramya Olympics’.
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The ‘Gramya Olympics’ is a one-of-its-kind contest of traditional sports and practices that used to be there in earlier days. Villagers and tribal people enthusiastically take part in these contests.
The fair is held adjoining to the beautiful Trinetrashwar Temple, which belongs to the Solanki era, that ruled Gujarat from 10th to 12th century. The grand Gurjara-Pratihara style Shiv temple is surrounded by three sacred kunds (ponds). Bathing in these kunds is considered a holy act, similar to bathing in the Ganges, and is believed to grant divine blessings and wash away sins.
The Gramya Olympics at Tarnetar Mela is organised in many categories separately for men and women. Apart from the contests of 100 m running, 400 m running, 800 m running, long jump, 4 x 100 m relay race, volleyball, the Olympics have several traditional contests.
The traditional contests include Langdi race, Matka Daud (pot race), Kabbadi, Ladoo eating competition, Satodi (Nargoal), Coconut throw, rope skipping, Kushti (traditional wrestling), Rope pulling and so on. State government gives cash prises to winners in each category.
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